BEIJING IN TRANSITION

Beijing in Transition:

This turtle-shell-like structure is a terminal for a new express train linking Beijing Capital International Airport to downtown Beijing.
(Photo: Tony Law)

This turtle-shell-like structure is a terminal for a new express train linking Beijing Capital International Airport to downtown Beijing.
(Photo: Tony Law)

This turtle-shell-like structure is a terminal for a new express train linking Beijing Capital International Airport to downtown Beijing.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Terminal 3, designed by Norman Foster, will be the world's largest at nearly 10 million square feet. "The airport is so huge that it is hard to get it all into one frame," recalls photographer Tony Law. "I was surprised that the security was so light that I could drive up onto the approach bridges to terminals still under construction.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Terminal 3, designed by Norman Foster, will be the world's largest at nearly 10 million square feet. "The airport is so huge that it is hard to get it all into one frame," recalls photographer Tony Law. "I was surprised that the security was so light that I could drive up onto the approach bridges to terminals still under construction.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Terminal 3, designed by Norman Foster, will be the world's largest at nearly 10 million square feet. "The airport is so huge that it is hard to get it all into one frame," recalls photographer Tony Law. "I was surprised that the security was so light that I could drive up onto the approach bridges to terminals still under construction.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A dazzling up close shot of the bubbly façade of the Beijing National Aquatics Center, dubbed the Water Cube.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A dazzling up close shot of the bubbly façade of the Beijing National Aquatics Center, dubbed the Water Cube.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A dazzling up close shot of the bubbly façade of the Beijing National Aquatics Center, dubbed the Water Cube.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The Water Cube sits next door to the National Stadium, which has been given its own nickname: the Bird's Nest.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The Water Cube sits next door to the National Stadium, which has been given its own nickname: the Bird's Nest.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The Water Cube sits next door to the National Stadium, which has been given its own nickname: the Bird's Nest.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The in-the-works stadium is "quite impressive when seen in person," according to Law.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The in-the-works stadium is "quite impressive when seen in person," according to Law.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The in-the-works stadium is "quite impressive when seen in person," according to Law.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A view of the intricate exterior, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A view of the intricate exterior, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A view of the intricate exterior, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Billboards touting upbeat Olympic slogans are plastered throughout Beijing. This one is found in the northeastern Wangjing neighborhood.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Billboards touting upbeat Olympic slogans are plastered throughout Beijing. This one is found in the northeastern Wangjing neighborhood.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Billboards touting upbeat Olympic slogans are plastered throughout Beijing. This one is found in the northeastern Wangjing neighborhood.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Crisscrossing cranes and wires fill much of the city skyline as Beijing races to fulfill its outsized Olympic ambitions.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Crisscrossing cranes and wires fill much of the city skyline as Beijing races to fulfill its outsized Olympic ambitions.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Crisscrossing cranes and wires fill much of the city skyline as Beijing races to fulfill its outsized Olympic ambitions.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The new National Grand Theater has its own glitzy structure, whose shape has been compared to a half moon, a bubble, and an egg.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The new National Grand Theater has its own glitzy structure, whose shape has been compared to a half moon, a bubble, and an egg.
(Photo: Tony Law)

The new National Grand Theater has its own glitzy structure, whose shape has been compared to a half moon, a bubble, and an egg.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Light glitters on the glass-and-titanium shell of the National Grand Theater and on the surrounding water.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Light glitters on the glass-and-titanium shell of the National Grand Theater and on the surrounding water.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Light glitters on the glass-and-titanium shell of the National Grand Theater and on the surrounding water.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A solitary guard stands watch at the theater, located to the west of Tiananmen Square.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A solitary guard stands watch at the theater, located to the west of Tiananmen Square.
(Photo: Tony Law)

A solitary guard stands watch at the theater, located to the west of Tiananmen Square.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Slated to begin service in early 2008, this subway station is one of many to spring up in Beijing lately.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Slated to begin service in early 2008, this subway station is one of many to spring up in Beijing lately.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Slated to begin service in early 2008, this subway station is one of many to spring up in Beijing lately.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Many of the Forbidden City's buildings are wrapped in scaffolding and undergoing renovations in preparation for the Olympics. This photograph was shot from the back gate.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Many of the Forbidden City's buildings are wrapped in scaffolding and undergoing renovations in preparation for the Olympics. This photograph was shot from the back gate.
(Photo: Tony Law)

Many of the Forbidden City's buildings are wrapped in scaffolding and undergoing renovations in preparation for the Olympics. This photograph was shot from the back gate.
(Photo: Tony Law)